Get Free Daily Newsletter
Get Free Daily Newsletter

Business & Tourism

Hawai‘i’s economy, in all its complexities.

What do we talk about when we talk about ‘the economy’ in the Islands? We talk about the cost of living, the cost of doing business, what it takes to make Hawai‘i a place where people can succeed, where they can build a career or a business and afford to raise a family. We cover such issues as Hawai‘i’s efforts to maintain a strong, sustainable tourism industry, but also its attempts diversify the economy. We look at everything from small business success stories to major players such as Hawaiian Airlines and the hotel industry.

News

Outreach team provides medical, social services to homeless in Waikīkī

Outreach team provides medical, social services to homeless in Waikīkī

The joint effort includes members of the Waikīkī Business Improvement District and its Safe and Sound Waikīkī program, the Institute for Human Services, Waikīkī Health and other business partners. They walk Waikīkī every Wednesday, meeting people where they're at. This week, ASD tagged along to see their work firsthand.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 30, 2025

Kīlauea eruption, long weekend leads to big crowds and traffic jams

Kīlauea eruption, long weekend leads to big crowds and traffic jams

The most recent episode of the ongoing eruption drew thousands of visitors to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park over the weekend.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 28, 2025

Aloha Ambassadors make measurable improvements in Waikīkī

Aloha Ambassadors make measurable improvements in Waikīkī

Services are provided by the Waikīkī Business Improvement District's Aloha Ambassadors as part of Clean and Safe programs.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 23, 2025

What's with the cranes atop First Hawaiian Center?

What's with the cranes atop First Hawaiian Center?

Aloha State Daily was curious, so we asked officials with First Hawaiian Bank what's going on.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 22, 2025

Pickles at Forté continues to draw players, expands offerings

Pickles at Forté continues to draw players, expands offerings

The first air conditioned, indoor pickleball and social club in Downtown Honolulu opened earlier this year in the space formerly occupied by Walmart.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 21, 2025

Hawai‘i Made Conference gives local businesses opportunity to connect, learn

Hawai‘i Made Conference gives local businesses opportunity to connect, learn

The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said more than 200 entrepreneurs, manufacturers and industry professionals attended the day-long conference on Tuesday. Among those who attended were Steve and Ruiko Miller, owners of Sweet Brown Hawai‘i caramels.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 21, 2025

Here's another chance to learn about UH’s “Campus Town” plans this week

Here's another chance to learn about UH’s “Campus Town” plans this week

UH Mānoa is exploring redevelopment plans for its property on the ʻEwa side of University Avenue, currently home to University Lab School and other tenants. A community outreach workshop engaging stakeholders will take place from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. this Wednesday, May 14, at the Noelani Elementary School cafeteria, located at 2655 Woodlawn Dr.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 12, 2025

Shred Shave Ice finds its niche in the local dessert business

Shred Shave Ice finds its niche in the local dessert business

Punahou School students Cassidy Crowley and Genevieve Iida share their journey as young entrepreneurs, with their latest venture paying homage to Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha. The pair have turned a profit in less than two months, serving sweet treats at private events and a pop-up.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 07, 2025

Kawika McKeague assumes role of president at design firm G70

Kawika McKeague assumes role of president at design firm G70

McKeague has a master's degree in planning and has also trained with Kumu Hula Victoria Holt Takamine as a hula practitioner and community advocate.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 07, 2025

Tiki's Grill & Bar expands to Japan

Tiki's Grill & Bar expands to Japan

Tiki's Tokyo — a partnership between Tiki's Grill & Bar and Tiki's SHIBUYA Limited Liability Partnership — will open April 25. It's the restaurant's first location outside of the Islands.

Stephanie SalmonsApril 11, 2025

RevoluSun: Homeowners beware of ‘misleading’ sales tactics by Mainland solar companies

RevoluSun: Homeowners beware of ‘misleading’ sales tactics by Mainland solar companies

RevoluSun’s Eric Carlson shares tips for individuals who may be targeted by door-to-door scammers. “If it feels off, it probably is,” he said in an interview with Aloha State Daily.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 09, 2025

High school students from across Hawai‘i compete in Maritime Welding Competition

High school students from across Hawai‘i compete in Maritime Welding Competition

Organizers said the goal of the event was to raise awareness of local opportunities for "well-paying careers in in maritime manufacturing, such as welding, machining and logistics," and for local companies to share specific career opportunities available within the community.

Stephanie SalmonsApril 08, 2025

Brother-sister duo from O‘ahu bring L&L Hawaiian Barbecue to the Big Apple

Brother-sister duo from O‘ahu bring L&L Hawaiian Barbecue to the Big Apple

Franchisees Henry and Sephra Engel already have locations in Manhattan's Lower East Side and East Harlem but opened their third restaurant in Brooklyn on March 20.

Stephanie SalmonsApril 04, 2025

Community Voices: We can do more to help Hawai‘i businesses rebound

Community Voices: We can do more to help Hawai‘i businesses rebound

Hawai‘i’s anemic economic growth — the second slowest in the country — should be a sign that we haven’t done enough to help local business rebound since the Covid-19 lockdowns. If anything, it seems we’re doing the opposite. The major tax hikes that are still alive in the current legislative session all promise to be significant burdens on local businesses.

Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.April 04, 2025

Pipikaula Corner: Did stocks just "plunge" and "tumble" after tariff announcement?

Pipikaula Corner: Did stocks just "plunge" and "tumble" after tariff announcement?

Here's an important skill to develop when decoding the news put in front of you — look at the scale. Now let's walk through today's headlines about the stock market, including taking a look at some of Hawai‘i's publicly traded companies.

A. Kam NapierApril 03, 2025

Longtime Hawaii attorney Gerald Clay wants his legacy to be ‘Partnering’

Longtime Hawaii attorney Gerald Clay wants his legacy to be ‘Partnering’

“Partnering", a collaborative approach designed to help groups become more effective, is an alternative to the legal system’s traditional dispute resolution because it promotes dispute prevention among stakeholders, says Clay, who is a trained facilitator. He recently wrote an article for the Hawai’i Bar Journal about why he launched Clay Partnering LLC, a company that aims to positively impact local businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and beyond.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 02, 2025

Kīlauea's eruption has paused again

Kīlauea's eruption has paused again

There have been 15 episodes of "lava fountaining" separated by pauses in activity since the current eruption began on Dec. 23, 2024. The latest episode ended Wednesday.

Stephanie SalmonsMarch 28, 2025

Local staffing firm supports annual fundraising event, volunteerism

Local staffing firm supports annual fundraising event, volunteerism

What to expect from Aloha United Way’s Women United “Chocolate, Champagne & Couture For-A-Cause," and why ALTRES looks forward to this event every year.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMarch 22, 2025

​​From Waipahu to Fort Street Mall, this new sober living store and bar prepares to open in Downtown Honolulu

​​From Waipahu to Fort Street Mall, this new sober living store and bar prepares to open in Downtown Honolulu

Viper Heart, owner of Viper’s SanctuarNII, took over Waipahu-based Nii Superette last year after her friend and store owner Stephen Nii died suddenly. Heart, who is in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, hopes to promote healing in the new space, which officially opens April 1. Its offerings include spiritual services and community events complete with hand-crafted mocktails, herbal teas and mushroom coffee, crystals, chicken feet and more.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMarch 15, 2025

Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i wants kama‘āina to 'Come Home'

Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i wants kama‘āina to 'Come Home'

The job placement program connects former residents who have moved to the Mainland to engineering job opportunities in the Islands.

Stephanie SalmonsMarch 12, 2025

Hawai‘i distillery sues over Jones Act

Hawai‘i distillery sues over Jones Act

The legislation requires cargo transported between U.S. ports to be carried on vessels that are built in the U.S., and are owned and crewed by U.S. citizens. ASD spoke with the attorney representing the Hawai‘i-based business that says the Jones Act puts the distillery at a disadvantage.

Stephanie SalmonsMarch 05, 2025

Load more